Comments on: Business Ideas for Mums: Running a pre-school group

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:31:13 +0000

Thank you!

By: Lisa Houghton

Lisa Houghton — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:04:21 +0000

Great piece Helen and thanks for the mention! Lisa x

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:47:15 +0000

Thanks for leaving a comment, Helen. I may be in touch at some point – as someone who has been independent and has bought a franchise, you’re in a unique position in that you can compare the two. Very interesting point about the marketing, I think that marketing is one of the more challenging parts of any business and the turnover you mentioned must make this even more tricky. Good luck with your blog!

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:10:53 +0000

Hi Helen, I run Tots Play, thanks for the mention. I am independent now but used to run a franchised music group so have seen both sides. I started the franchise when my daughter was a baby and it gave me the confidence I needed to get started in what was a completely new area for me, it also fit great around her and still does now she is in school, as all my classes run within school hours. I love being independent now as it gives me the opportunity to try out new things and really tailor my classes to the needs of the children attending. The most challenging part of the business for me is the marketing aspect. Due to the nature of the business the turnover of children is constant so there is always the need to keep promoting your business, although word of mouth is a great source of advertising once you have been running a while. I am also trying to add extra value to my classes, and partly inspired by yours and other blogs have just started my own at http://totsplayextra.blogspot.com with ideas of how to adapt some of our activities to do at home. Happy to chat to anyone interested in starting pre-school classes – its a great business to be in!

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:34:33 +0000

Thanks for your message, Elizabeth. Loneliness is always a risk when you’re self employed and I guess it was part of the reason I went back to employment just over three years ago. This time I hope to build a better support network of other Mums, so far it’s going pretty well.

By: Elizabeth James

Elizabeth James — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:43:14 +0000

Thanks for mentioning Jellybeans Music – I love what I do, but I’d be lying to not say that it is hard work, physically & mentally, and it can be lonely being an independent. However, I wouldn’t change my career for anything as it gives me the flexibility to work around my 3 children and keep their needs as my priority.